Key-holder.



H. L. VAUGHAN.

KEY HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26, 19161 Patented Dec. 5,1916;

HARRY L. VAUGHAN, ,QHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

KEY-HOLDER.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

Application filed g'une 26, 1916. Serial No. 105,947.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. VAUGHAN,

. a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to key holders, particularly .to improved and simplified construction and arrangement for separating or isolating keys thereon.

Generally speaking, the key holder of my invention comprises a length of chain detachably connected together at its ends to form a flexible ring, and a plate having passageway therethrough for the two sides of the ring to act as a barrier between the two end loops thereof and keys held by the ring in such loops whereby the selection of keys is facilitated.

The various features of my invention will be clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming part of the specificat on, in which drawing-- Figure 1 shows the entire ring with a number of keys thereon, Fig. 2 is an edge view of the barrier plate, Fig. 3 shows a modified form of barrier structure with the members thereof separated, Fig. 4 is a sectional view on plane 4-4, Fig. 3, when the members are in registration, Fig. 5 is a plan view of another form of barrier structure, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view on plane 6-6, Fig. 5.

Referrin to Fig. 1, a length of chain 10 has its en s detachabl connected together by a locking link or evice 11 which may be of any suitable construction. The chain length thus connected together at its ends forms a flexible ring for keys. In order to separate or isolate a certain key or keys from the others on the ring a barrier member 12 is provided, this barrier member being shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as a circular sheet metal disk provided with two adjacent holes 13 and 14 near one side thereof. These holes are sufficiently large to permit free passageway therethrough of the sides a and b of the ring and the lock 11 but are small enough to prevent passageway therethrough of keys. With the disk thus applied it acts as a barrier between the two end loops .0 and d of the ring in one of which loops may be placed a key or keys which it is desired to keep separate from keys in the other loop. As shown in Fig. 1, the key 70 is held in the loop (2 while a number of other keys 7'." are retained in the other loop. The chain can be readily shifted through the openings 13 and 14 to brin the lock 11 to either side of the disk so t at either loop may be opened for the reception or removal of keys. In the disk 12 identification legends such as name and address of the owner could be printed or stamped.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a modified form of barrier member is shown..- It comprises the two circular sheet metal disks .15 and 16 hinged together near one side by a rivet 17 and having diametrically opposite such rivet connection the holes 18,19 and 20, 21 respectively, the holes 18, 19 registering with the holes 20, 21 respectively when the disks are swung into registration, the registering holes then forming the passageways for the sides a and b of the chain ring 10. Identification or other legends can be placed on the inner face of one of the disks to be concealed when in place on the ring and to be revealed when the disks are removed and swung apart. As shown in Fig. 3, a separate identification disk 22 could be provided and this would preferably be of thin sheet metal or other material such as celluloid and wouldbe of the same circular shape as the disks 15 and 16 and hinged thereto by the rivet 17. This identification disk is provided with the holes 23 and 24 to be brought into registration with the holes 18 and 20 and 19 and 21 when all the disks are swung into registration to receive the chain ring. Upon removal of the chain the disks can be swung apart to reveal the identification legends on the inner disk 22.

In Figs. 5 and 6 another form of barrier and identification member is shown. Here two plates 25 and 26 are hinged together at one edge. The, plates may be separate sheet metal pieces hinged together or the two plates may be part of an integral sheet metal stamping and held together by a narrow section 27 along which the stamping may be bent to bring the plates together into registration. The plates have the holes 28, 29 and 30, 31 respectively which will register after the plates are brought together to form the passageways for the chain. Identification or other legends may be placed on the inner face of one ofthe plates or an identification card or late 32 may be inserted. When it is desire to consult the identification card the slates can be separated and the disk remove A sim 1e and efficient key holder is thus produce on which keys can be-kept separatelfor more ready selection. The barrier platesor disks are simple ordinary stampings and the cost of manufacture. of the holder is therefore very little. y

I do not, of course, desire to be limited to the exact constructions and arrangements shown as other modifications may be possible which would still come within the scope of the claims.

I claim as follows:

1. A key holder comprising an endless ring, and a plate having passageway therethrough for receiving the opposite sides of the ring and acting as a barrier between keys in the end loops of the ring.

2. In a key holder, the combination with a plate having a plurality of holes, of a length of flexible material extending serially through said holes and connected together at its ends whereby to form a plurality of separated key receiving' loops.

3. In a key holder, the combination of a plurality of disks hinged together and having holes adapted to form passageways when the disks are brought into registration, a length of chain passing freel serially through said passageways an having its ends detachably connected together whereby to form a loop at each side of the disks for the rece tion of keys.

4. In a key ho der, the combination of a plurality of disks hinged together and having holes adapted to form passageways when the disks are brought into registration, a length of chain passing freely and serially throu h said passageways and having its ends etachably connected together whereb to form a loop at each side of the disks or the reception of keys, and an identification plate concealed between the disks when said disks are in place on said chain. I

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of June, A. D., 1916.

HARRY L. VAUGHAN.

and 

